Method for assembling cobblestones into mats and device for carrying out thereof

ABSTRACT

A cobblestone mat usable for covering roads, sidewalks, patios, outside/inside walls, etc., is disclosed, comprising a plurality of predeterminedly shaped cobblestones disposed at a certain distance to each other and a binding net internally imparted into and joining the cobblestones. A method is provided for assembling concrete cobblestones and the net, comprising the steps of providing a mold for forming the mat, predeterminedly placing the net into the mold, pouring liquid concrete into therein, hardening the concrete, forming the mat, and extracting the mat from the mold. An automated device for making the mat is proposed. There are also described preferable shapes and sizes of the cobblestones and cobblestone mats. The invention permits achieving high quality covering even by low-experienced workers, expediting the covering, minimizing dust and noise at work site since it avoids cutting the cobblestones, decorating surfaces with imitation of natural stone appearance and various colors and designs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to covering roads, pavements, sidewalks,driveways, walls, etc. with small paving stones, also sometimes referredto as cobbles. More particularly, the invention is dedicated toartificially made stones, herein defined as ‘cobblestones’, and boundinto specific assemblies herein called ‘cobblestone mats’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commonly known cobble roads, widely spread in Europe in 18-20 centuries,are difficult to construct, since the cobbles are different in size andshape, and it's hard to adjust them in relation to each other.

It is well known that some artificially made materials found wide usagefor covering roads, sidewalks, driveways, etc. for public and privatefacilities. Some of them are covered by artificial paving stonesimitating the shape of natural stones. There exist a number oftechnologies for production of such types of covering.

One of typical technologies is known as “interlock”, wherein pavingstones are pre-manufactured in the form of bricks, and then they areembedded into the road body. Another broadly known technology is aso-called “stamp-concrete”, wherein specially shaped molds are impressedinto the not-yet-hardened concrete (with a thickness of approximately4-5 inches), making an imitation of paving stones covering.

The above named technologies however have their drawbacks. For example,the “interlock” is characterized with (a) high laboriousness, since theembedding is manually performed one-by-one for each paving stones; (b)necessity of having a highly graded sand ‘pillow’ (underlying layer),otherwise the covering will soon have an uneven surface; (c)impossibility to achieve an imitation of natural stone appearancebecause of the uniformity of the paving stones' shapes and sizes.

The “stamp-concrete” has the following disadvantages: (a) it is laborintensive and requires a significant physical force from the operator;(b) it's necessary to excavate substantial masses of earth to place aconcrete layer of 4-5 inches; (c) large masses of concrete are requiredto be embedded; (d) the work is performed on-site, hence depends onweather conditions, is dirty, and more expensive; (e) the technologyrequires special equipment; (f) the covered concrete surface oftenbecomes cracked during exploitation.

The process of installation of slabs and concrete blocks is usually aset of laborious operations that requires highly qualified personnel toachieve a high grade covering of roads, sidewalks, etc. Therefore, manytechnologies are directed to ease the process, lower the expenses, andemploy less qualified workers. One of such technologies is taught inU.S. Pat. No. 3,406,618 to Bowman.

The latter in particular teaches that “the concrete . . . is poured froma cement mixer . . . , then the concrete is leveled . . . . The concretehardens first at its bottom layer and it is softest at its top layer.The concrete is bull-floated by a wooden float . . . sufficiently tobring the finer particles of the plastic cement to the surface . . . .Then dry coloring powder . . . is hand-cast over the bull-floatedsurface . . . . This dry coloring powder usually contains fine sand,fine cement, and a mineral pigment . . . . This addition of powderedcolor topping is continued until the top surface is hardened to at leastthe same plasticity as the rest of the body of the concrete. Then thefinal texture is formed on the surface . . . at the stage when theplasticity of the concrete is sufficiently hard . . . . The generalpattern of the bricks, tiles or cobblestones and the direction of thepattern is predetermined . . . . After individual bricks, tiles orcobblestones are so made over a given area, the bricks, tiles orcobblestones so formed are allowed to set to a sufficient dryness of thesurface to permit the application of wax. A wax sealer is brushed on theexposed surfaces of the bricks, tiles or cobblestones in such a manneras to prevent the filling of the spaces between the bricks, tiles orcobblestones. After the wax dries then the joints or spaces between themanufactured bricks, tiles or cobblestones are grouted by suitablemortar . . . . The spurplus grout is removed from the exposed surface ofthe bricks, tiles or cobblestones by dragging wet sacks . . . over thesurface . . . .

It further states “The tool . . . has a walking and stamping surface inthe form of a grid . . . , which forms a frame with one closed side . .. and one closed end . . . . On the top of the grid there are aplurality of buttons or striking enlargements . . . arranged in such amanner that the workman, by striking them in sequence, will depress thetool into the plastic cement uniformly. From the bottom of the grid . .. extend a plurality of blades . . . arranged in the desired pattern andshaped according to whether bricks, tiles or cobblestones are to be made. . . .” After the concrete has been formed the grid is removed from theconcrete and can be repeatedly used. As shown above, Bowman's process isextremely laborious, involves heavy manual operations, and hasessentially the same drawbacks as the aforementioned “stamp-concrete”.

Another U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,340 to Bolli teaches “A concrete pavingstone unit formed of a number of individual spaced paving stonesconnected together by integral thin webs. The webs constitutepredetermined breaking points in the unit, so that when the unit is laidin sand and vibrated, some of the webs can break to allow the individualstones to bed firmly in the sand. If the ground shifts at a later date,other webs may break to allow the stones to conform to the new groundcontour.”

The mentioned webs are made as thin concrete members having a heightsignificantly less than the height of paving stones. The group of stones(unit) is laid into the sand as a whole. When some of the webs break,the stones retain their integrity and the gaps therebetween.

Bolli's method allows quick installation of the stones (due to the useof the units), forming essentially equal gaps between them (due to thewebs), making a pattern from stones of essentially identical shape andsize. It however has certain shortcomings: (a) supplemental equipment isrequired; (b) the webs might break during transportation that may causetraumas of workers and slow down the installation; (c) since the stonesare of essentially identical shapes and sizes, it does not allowchanging the pattern.

Another method allowing installation of a set of stones at once isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,775 , to Hagenah as follows: “1. Pavingstone set and process and device for the manufacture thereof. 2.1. Inthe case of lawn-paving blocks formed from paving stones (10) spaced ata considerable distance apart, these are joined together, againstrelative displacements, by a holding grid (11) embedded in the pavingstones (10) and comprising tension-resistant strands. The said holdinggrid allows the transfer of traction forces and hence the reciprocalsafeguarding of the paving stones (10) within a paving stone set heldtogether by the holding grid (11). 2.2. The manufacture of the pavingstone sets is effected in a concrete stone mold which is conventional inits principle. A flask (19) disposed on a molding plate (28) and adrawing sheet (29) is divided in the horizontal plane (33), creating atop part-flask (34) and a bottom part-flask (35). The holding grid (11)is clamped between the two part-flasks during pouring of the concrete.Following the completion of a paving stone set, the bottom part-flask(35) is withdrawn from the concrete stone mold. Demolding can now becarried out in the usual manner.”

The tension-resistant strands allow certain deformation of the metalgrid, so that the stones remain joined and spaced from each other at acertain distance during exploitation of the set of stones. After theinstallation, the grid functions as a holder means of the stones to keepthe aforesaid distance. The grid also provides essentially evendistribution of tension forces applied to the stone set during itsoperation. To a certain extent, the surface of stone sets may conform tothe relief of the ground. According to Hagenah, the gaps between thestones are not covered by concrete, and therefore allow for the growthof grass, which provides environmental and decorative effects.Nevertheless, the molding tools for formation of the stone sets arecomplicated, and the set's construction is significantly expensive,particularly due to the additional cost of the grid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As demonstrated, the aforementioned technologies provide positivefeatures, but exhibit certain deficiencies. The proposed inventionintends to keep and improve these positive features (such as quickinstallation, fixed distance between the cobblestones, etc.) and at thesame time to avoid the mentioned deficiencies (high costs,laboriousness, heavy complicated equipment for installation, etc.). Itsubstantially reduces the costs and the weight of the stone set(cobblestone mat) comparatively to the prior art stone sets, and, on theother hand, provides integrity and an essentially unchanged distancebetween the cobblestones in the mat during exploitation after itsinstallation, and its safe transportation. The invention discloses anarticle called a ‘cobblestone mat’, a method of manufacturing the mat,and a specific automated device for manufacturing the mat.

The cobblestone mat usable for covering roads, driveways, sidewalks,patios, outside and inside walls covering, etc., is disclosed below,comprising a plurality of predeterminedly shaped cobblestones,preferably made of concrete, disposed at a certain distance to eachother and a binding net internally imparted into and joining thecobblestones. The method for assembling concrete cobblestones and thenet comprises the steps of providing a mold for forming the mat,predeterminedly placing the net into the mold, pouring liquid concreteinto the mold, hardening the concrete, forming the mat, and extractingthe mat from the mold. The automated device for making the mat isproposed and described in detail below. There are also disclosedpreferable shapes and sizes of the cobblestones and cobblestone mats.The invention permits achieving high quality covering even bylow-experienced workers, expedite the covering, minimize dust and noiseat work site, since avoids cutting the cobblestones, decorate surfaceswith imitation of natural stone appearance and various colors anddesigns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a device for making cobblestonemats in its initial position according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the device shown on FIG. 1 inits catching position with a pushing frame in the lifted position.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a portion of the device shown onFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of an enlarged portion of thedevice shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial isometric view of a concrete mold and thepushing frame in the lowered position of the device shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial detail view of the pushing frame of thedevice shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial view of a binding net and a draggingmechanism's portion of the device shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial isometric view of a detail portion of thedevice shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a general isometric view of a cobblestone accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of the cobblestone shown on FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a general isometric view of a cobblestone mataccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a general isometric view of a concrete preparationmold with the binding net situated above, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Identical reference numerals in the drawings generally refer to the sameelements in different figures. A first-time introduced numeral or letterin the description is enclosed into parentheses.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms,there are described in detail herein, specific embodiments of thepresent invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure isto be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention,and is not intended to limit the invention to that as described herein.

As stated above, the invention discloses an article called a‘cobblestone mat’, a method of manufacturing the mat, and a specificautomated device for manufacturing the cobblestone mat.

Cobblestone Mat

FIG. 9 shows a general view of a cobblestone (1) in a preferredembodiment made of concrete. The cobblestone 1 has a squared base andsquared-like lateral sides. The top of cobblestone 1 has an unevensurface 1′ imitating a natural stone. A binding net (2) is internallyimparted into the cobblestone 1 as shown on FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 10depicts a sectional view of the cobblestone 1 with the binding net 2incorporated in the cobblestone.

The cobblestone mat is depicted on FIG. 11, and comprises a set ofcobblestones 1. Generally the cobblestones may be performed in differentdesign, shape, and size, joined by the binding net made of ropes, or thelike. The preferable size of the cobblestones 1 ranges from 25 to 200 mm(from 1 to 8 inches). Often, the preferable height of the cobblestonesis about 40 mm. The preferable distance (gap) between the cobblestones 1in the mat ranges from 5 to 10 mm (from ⅕ to ⅖ inches). The distancegenerally depends on the average size of cobblestones 1 used in a givenmat. The binding net 2 can be made of predeterminedly strong cotton,polyethylene, thin flexible and strong wire of a suitable metal, or canbe made of another material possessing similar properties.

Method for Making Cobblestone Mat

The invention proposes a method for making the cobblestone mats. Theinventive method comprises a step of providing a pattern for the mat.Generally, in order to make the pattern, a plurality of stones orstone-like articles can be disposed on a flat surface and can be coveredby a liquid material capable to harden, for example, polyurethane. Inthis way a mold for pouring concrete could be produced, which mold thenwould be used for forming the cobblestones.

In a preferred embodiment shown on FIG. 12, a concrete mold (10)includes a number of rows; each row consists of a number of cells (11).The number of cells in the mold equals to the desirable number ofcobblestones in the mat. Each cell 11 has a squared base, having fourpreferably vertical walls (two longitudinal walls and two transversalwalls) and a bottom. Each bottom may have a different configuration ofits concave surface (11′), defining the top surface 1′ of thecobblestone 1.

Essentially at the middle of each wall a substantially vertical slit(12) is cut from the top approximately at ⅓-½ of the wall's height, asshown on FIG. 12. Thusly, the mold 10 includes longitudinal andtransversal slits 12. The preferable thickness of the peripheral wallsof the mold is about 20 mm, the thickness of the inter-cell wallsbetween adjacent cells is preferably 5-7 mm.

The method's next step is a placing of the net 2 into the mold 10 sothat its ropes are inserted into the slits 12 of each cell 11 in thelongitudinal and transversal directions. The slits 11 therefore retainthe net substantially at a certain level of the mold 10.

The following step constitutes pouring liquid concrete into the mold 10.When the concrete in the mold has been hardened, the so formed concretecobblestones 1 are extracted from the mold 10, which cobblestones arejointed by the binding net 2, and thereby assembled into cobblestonemats. The method can be performed by known tools. However, the presentdescription further discloses an automated device for production of themats.

The preferable size of the mat is 16 by 36 inches. A typical pattern canencompass 4 or 5 rows including from 7 to 9 cobblestones each. The matsare bedded into a padded base layer of sand or gravel (23) shown on FIG.11. Such mats are not heavy, and can be bedded by only one workman. FIG.11 also shows portions of the neighboring mats (11″).

The mats may be easily adapted to a particular surface to be covered bythe cobblestones and can be installed around an obstacle on the surfacewithout the necessity to cut the cobblestones. Mats with different gapsand cobblestones' sizes can be chosen for a given portion of thesurface. If necessary, a section of a mat can be cut off to fill in aspot of the surface, or a portion of a first size (pattern) cobblestonesmat can be substituted with a portion of a second size (pattern)cobblestones mat. For a small extension of the covered area, the ropescan be cut in one direction (for example, longitudinally) and thecobblestones can be bedded arbitrarily on the surface. The technologydoes not require cutting the cobblestones at all.

The mats can cover small or big areas, while providing an effect ofuniqueness of all cobblestones and a natural stone look of thecobblestones, since their upper surface can have various types ofcurviness. Having mats of different colors and identical sizes, evenlow-qualification workers can create a multitude of distinct patternsand even pictures. Two- or one-row mats (that can be obtained by cuttinga multi-row mat, or by special manufacturing thereof) have shown goodresults for the creation of patterns. They allow surrounding trees,forming stairs, circles, ovals, arcs, and zigzags of practically anysizes. Color striped mats can be utilized to form patterns of any shapesand color sets necessary for a road or wall design.

Thusly, the invention permits to: (a) provide bedding of high qualityroad or wall covering even by low-experienced workers; (b) substantiallysave time for the bedding, since the cobblestones are bedded 30-40 itemsat once, depending on the size; (c) the bedding can be performed withminimal amount of dust and noise, since there's no necessity to cut thecobblestones. The invention can be employed for covering roads, shoppingmalls, sidewalks, swimming pools (especially their steps), patios,outside and inside walls, etc. to decorate them with imitation ofnatural stone appearance, as well as making each item covered with anindividual design.

Description of Automated Device for Making the Mats

The invention envisages a device for automation of the alludedtechnology for making the cobblestone mats. As depicted on FIGS. 1 and2, the device comprises a known stationary mounted vibration stand (9),and a mold 10 for preparation of concrete cobblestones mounted on thevibration stand 9. The mold 10 includes a predetermined number of rowseach having a predetermined number of essentially squared cells 11 asdisclosed above. Some embodiments may include cells with a cross-sectionof a rectangular or another shape. The cells comprise substantiallyvertical walls and bottoms with predeterminedly curved surfaces 11′,shown on FIG. 12. Each cell 11 therefore has four such walls, and eachwall includes a slit 12 cut from the top of the wall essentially at themiddle of the wall, which slit 12 having a predetermined height. Theupper portions of the slits 12 are preferably made slightly wider attheir tops tapering downwards (as shown on FIG. 7).

The inventive device, presented on FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, comprises a drum(20) with a plurality of dents (20′) whereon the binding net 2 is wound.The drum 20 is used for orderly keeping and supplying the binding net 2for further imparting it into a cobblestone mat.

The binding net includes a predetermined number of longitudinal andtransversal ropes attached to each other via knots. The device comprisesa pushing frame (7) for placing the binding net 2 into the mold 10. Thepushing frame 7 is capable to move to an upper position (shown on FIGS.1 and 2) and a lower position (shown on FIG. 5), for example, by meansof hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or other conventional drivingmechanisms.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show the pushing frame 7 that includes a predeterminednumber of springed clamps (8), preferably having a fork-like shape(shown on FIGS. 5 and 6), attached to the body of the pushing frame 7,and disposed peripherally. As mentioned, the pushing frame 7 is movableupward and downward. While moving from the upper position to the lowerposition, the pushing frame 7 substantially pushes the ropes of the net2 into the slits 12, which ropes are then secured in the slits 12essentially at a certain level due to elasticity of the net's ropesor/and of the material the mold 10 is made of. The springed clamps 8 areso configured that capable to hold the corresponding edge squares of thebinding net 2 while the net is lowered into the slits 12 (FIG. 6).

The device comprises an upper roll (3) and a lower roll (4) (illustratedon FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) disposed in parallel to the transversal ropes ofthe binding net 2 above and under the net respectively. The rolls havean elastic outer surface, and rotatably mounted at a predetermineddistance from the top of the drum 20. The rolls 3 and 4 are driven by aknown motor (not illustrated), preferably a step-motor. The beginningportion of the binding net 2 is depressed by the rolls 3 and 4, and whenthe rolls rotate, they pull the net 2 out from the drum 20.

The device comprises a guiding slot (5) (illustrated on FIGS. 1, 2, and3) disposed at the other side of the rolls 3 and 4 (opposite to thedrum), from which rolls the guiding slot 5 receives the net 2 pulledfrom the drum 20.

The device comprises a pair of blades that includes an upper blade (6 a)having a skewed edge, and a lower blade (6 b) with a straight edge(illustrated on FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7) disposed substantiallyvertically above and below the binding net respectively and located at apredetermined distance from the guiding slot 5. The blades 6 a and 6 bare installed to cut the binding net 2 into a predeterminedly sizedpiece of net to be imparted into a cobblestone mat.

The device comprises a dragging mechanism (18) (shown on FIGS. 1 and 2,and partially on FIGS. 7 and 8) including stationary guiding rails (13),a turnable frame (14) pivotally mounted on a carriage (15), whichcarriage is driven by a known mechanism. The carriage 15 is capable toroll upon the guiding rails 13 to and from the mold 10. The turnableframe 14 can be driven by a known hydro-cylinder, a pneumo-cylinder, oranother mechanism (not shown) and can be set in an upper position (shownon FIG. 1) and in a lower position (shown on FIG. 2).

The device's dragging mechanism 18 includes a springed holder(illustrated on FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8) made in a fork-like shapeconsisting of two lateral springed arms (16) longitudinally extended ata predetermined angle to each other, and coupled with their first endsto the turnable frame 14 as shown on FIGS. 1 and 2. The springed arms 16each at its second end has a hole.

The dragging mechanism 18 includes a substantially horizontal shaft (17)(illustrated on FIGS. 7 and 8) having two male screw-threaded ends, eachof them is inserted into the holes of the arms 16. The shaft 17 has athreading-free middle portion. In the longitudinal direction from oneend to the other, the shaft 17 has two parallel flat faces.

The dragging mechanism 18 includes a predetermined number of springedclaws (19) (illustrated on FIGS. 7 and 8) to capture the bounding net 2coming out from the guiding slot 5 and drag it until it will bestretched above the entire mold 10. The springed claws 19, each has twolegs situated at a predetermined angle to each other so that shaping twolateral sides of a trapezium. At the greater base of the trapezium, theend of each leg is furnished with a bushing (21) having an internalthrough hole with a profile matching the shaft's cross-section, so thatthe shaft 17 can easily fit into the hole and extends throughout theinteriors of all bushings 19. Normally, the bushings 21 are set incontact with each other, and the ending bushings are depressed againstthe arms 16.

At the smaller base of the trapezium, the ends of the legs are connectedwith a V-like shaped tongue predeterminedly curved and predeterminedlybent relatively to the plane of the trapezium as illustrated on FIGS. 7and 8. The legs and the tongue of claw 19 are made as a whole preferablyof a metal wire having suitable spring property or a similar appropriatematerial. At each end of the shaft 17, a wing-nut (22) (illustrated onFIGS. 7 and 8), having a female screw-threading, is screwed onto theshaft's threading.

The closer the wing-nuts 22 are moved to each other, the more the arms16 are depressed. This causes contraction of the claws 19 in thetransversal direction along the shaft 17. Therefore the positions of thewing-nuts 22 determine the total width of the shaft's portion embracingthe claws. Thusly, when the binding net 2 is chosen of a different width(the width of the binding net is changed while the number of its rowsremains the same, i.e. the size of its squares called a ‘net step’ isdifferent), the wing-nuts 22 allow adjusting the width of the draggingmechanism 18.

The automated device has a conventional control unit (not illustrated)capable to issue preferably pre-programmed commands at predeterminedmoments of time to executing means, such as electric motors, hydraulicor pneumatic mechanisms, etc. The executing means further actuate therolls 3 and 4, the frame 7 and the blades 6 a, the dragging mechanism18, the vibration stand 9, concrete supplying means, and so on.

Operation of Automated Device

At its initial position, depicted on FIG. 1, members of the automateddevice are situated as follows: the carriage 15 is located at its rightend position maximally distanced from the mold 10; the turnable frame 14is situated at its upper position lifting the arms 16 with the shaft 17and the claws 19 (shown on FIGS. 7 and 8).

The pushing frame 7 with the blade 6 a attached thereto are situated atthe upper position. The rolls 3 and 4 have pulled a portion of thebinding net 2 out from the dents 20′ of the drum 20 into the guidingslot 5, so that at least a part of the front row of the net's squareshas come out from the slot 5.

A corresponding command of the control unit commences a cycle, andcauses the carriage 15 to roll to its left end position, maximally closeto the mold 10, carrying the arms 16, the shaft 17, and the claws 19(shown on FIGS. 7 and 8). The next command causes the turnable frame 14,the arms 16, the shaft 17, and the claws 19 to turn into the lowerposition. At this moment (shown on FIG. 2) the claws 19 capture thementioned part of the front row of the net 2 outstanding from the slot5, so that each claw 19 engages with one square of the binding net 2.

A subsequent command causes the carriage 15 to roll into its right endposition, while the dragging mechanism develops a predetermined forcepulling the binding net 2. The main force pushing the net 2 from thedrum 20 is still caused by the rolls 3 and 4, which is significantlygreater than the predetermined pulling force exerted by the claws 19onto the net 2. During the rolling, the binding net 2 is situatedsubstantially parallel to the mold 10. At this right end position, thepiece of net 2, pulled out by the dragging mechanism 18, is disposedabove the entire mold 10, so that each longitudinal and transversal ropeof net 2 is positioned just above the corresponding slit 12.

Thereafter, the control unit issues the next command causing the pushingframe 7 to descent into the lower position, wherein the clamps 8 meetthe corresponding peripheral squares of the net 2, and push them intothe slits 12.

The clamps 8 (shown on FIGS. 2 and 5) of the most right row (mostdistanced from the drum 20) enter the squares row of the net, followingthe peripheral squares row of the binding net 2 wherein the claws 19have been inserted.

The pushing frame 7 substantially pushes the ropes of the binding net 2down into the corresponding slits 12 of mold 10. The ropes are partiallyfixed with the slits 12, due to elasticity of the mold material and/orthe rope, at a level slightly above the lowest points of the slits.Therefore, the net 2 is fixedly positioned at a predetermined level ofthe mold 10. The clamps 8 then push the net down disengaging it with theclaws 19. Subsequently, the upper blade 6 a comes into contact with thestationary lower blade 6 b and cuts out the aforesaid piece of net 2. Atthe next moment, the net reaches the lowest point of the slits 12, andis finally fixed within the mold 10. Thereafter, the pushing frame 7 islifted into its upper position. The turnable frame 14 is then moved intoits upper position lifting the arms 16 with the shaft 17 and the claws19.

Next, the control unit issues a command for a device supplying concrete(not shown) to start pouring liquid concrete into the mold 10 with thesimultaneous activating the vibration stand 9. When the concretecobblestones have been hardened, they are extracted from the mold 10.

In some embodiments, when the mold 10 is filled up with concrete, it canbe removed and put into a respective location for hardening. Thenanother mold 10 can be placed on the stand 9, and the next cycle canstart. A transversal conveyer can be arranged moving the molds toaccelerate the process.

When the hardened cobblestones coupled with the binding net 2 andassembled into a cobblestone mat are removed from the mold 10, it thencan be employed as described above.

It will be understood that each of the steps or elements describedabove, or two or more together, may also find a useful application inother types of constructions and methods differing from the typesdescribed above.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

1. An article of manufacture called a cobblestone mat usable forcovering roads, driveways, sidewalks, outside and inside walls, etc.,comprising: a plurality of cobblestones of predetermined shapes disposedat a predetermined distance to each other; and a binding net composed ofpredeterminedly strong ropes having a number of rows and a number ofcolumns, said ropes made of cotton or polyethylene, said binding netinternally imparted into and joining said cobblestones.
 2. The articleaccording to claim 1, wherein said cobblestones made of concrete.
 3. Thearticle according to claim 2, wherein said cobblestones having a base ofa squared shape.
 4. The article according to claim 2, wherein saidcobblestones having top uneven surfaces imitating a natural stone look.5. The article according to claim 2, wherein said cobblestones having asize in the range from 25 to 200 mm.
 6. The article according to claim2, wherein the predetermined distance ranging from 5 to 10 mm.
 7. Thearticle according to claim 2, wherein the height of said cobblestones is40 mm.
 8. (canceled)
 9. A device for assembly of concrete cobblestonesand a binding net into a cobblestone mat, said device comprising: a moldmeans for forming said cobblestone mat; a means for orderly keeping andsupplying the binding net to the mold means, said means for orderlykeeping and supplying disposed at a predetermined distance from the moldmeans; a driving means for moving the binding net to the mold means,said driving means disposed at a predetermined distance from the meansfor orderly keeping and supplying; a guiding means receiving the bindingnet from the driving means, said guiding means disposed at apredetermined distance from the driving means; a cutting means forcutting a predetermined piece of said binding net disposed at apredetermined distance from the guiding means; a pushing means forpushing the binding net into the mold means, said pushing means disposedabove the mold means, said pushing means partially coupled to saidcutting means; a dragging means for capture the binding net andpredeterminedly positioning it above the mold means, said dragging meansdisposed at the opposite side in relation to said guiding means;executing means for actuation of said driving means, said pushing andcutting means, and said dragging means, predeterminedly disposed inrelation to said driving means, said pushing and cutting means, and saiddragging means; and a control means for controlling said executingmeans, predeterminedly connected to said executing means.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 9, further comprising a regulative means capable toadjust said dragging means to a changing width of the binding net forproper engagement.
 11. A method for assembly of concrete cobblestonesand a binding net into a cobblestone mat, comprising the steps of:providing a mold means for forming said cobblestone mat; providing adriving means for moving said binding net to the mold means; providing apushing means for pushing said binding net into the mold means;providing a dragging means for capture of said binding net andpositioning it; actuating said driving means and moving said binding netto the mold means; engaging said binding net at predetermined points bysaid dragging means and predeterminedly positioning said binding net inrelation to the mold means; engaging said pushing means with saidbinding net at the predetermined points; disengaging said dragging meansfrom said binding net; cutting a predetermined piece of said bindingnet; fixing said binding net within said mold means; filling said moldmeans with concrete; hardening the concrete; and extracting theresultant hardened concrete cobblestone mat from the mold means.